And spinning mechanism



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J. NEALE. SLIVER FORMING AND SPINNING MECHANISM.

N0. 540',75 5. Patented June 11. 1895.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet- 2.

I J,. NEALE. SLIVER FORMING. AND SPINNING 'MEGHANISM.

Pate nted June '11, 1895.

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I J. NEALE. SLIVER FORMING AND SPINNING MECHANISM.

Patente ilune 11, 1895.

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SLIVER PORMING AND SPINNING MECHANISM.

Patented June "11, 1895.

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Nonms PETERS on. nmou'ma, wumucran u c NITED ST-ATES FFICE.

ATENT JAMES NEALE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO W. OSCAR SHADBOLT, OF SAME PLACE.

SLIVER FORMING AND SPINNING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 540,755, dated June 11, 1895.

Application filed August 17, 1894:-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES NEALE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sliver Forming and Spinning Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a mechanism, chiefly of an automatic character, for laying or feeding the fiber in forming the sliver to be spun into yarn destined for use in making cordage.

The-object of the present invention is in part to improve the construction of the fiberfeeding mechanism whereby the bight of each increment of fiber is fed into the core or axis of the sliver in such a manner as to leave the surface of the sliver smooth and'free from roughness, and in part to provide means for supplying the fiber to the feeding device in an automatic manner.

Other novel features-of the invention will be indicated and described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate two similar forms and embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the entire machine, on a comparatively-small scale, showing both the sliver forming and spinning mechanisms. Fig. 2 is a plan view, on a larger scale, of the sliver-forming mechanism with automatic supplying mechanism; and Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of same in the plane indicated by line 1: in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, on a larger scale, of the sliver-guide and adjacent mechanism, the needle-like pusher being seen in side elevation; and Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line m in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a detached fragmentary view of the ratchet device on a large scale than Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the slot in the pawl-arm on a largescale. Fig. 3 represents in cross-section and side elevation the tension-plate, on a larger scale, detached; and Figs. 4. and 5 are respectively a side elevation and plan of another form of the sliver-forming mechanism having a different fiber-supplying device from that illustrated in the principal views.

Referring primarily to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 3 and 3 ,-A represents in general the fiber-supplying and sliver-forming mechanism, andB the serial No. 520,558. (No model.)

spinning or twisting mechanism, sometimes called a jenny. This latter, while especially well adapted for use in my apparatus, has no novelty in itself and is introduced to illustrate the entire apparatus and to indicate approximately the relative proportions of the parts.

1 represents the main frame; 2, the twisting or spinning head; 3, the take-up sheaves; 4, the guide-sheaves, and 5 the spool on which the yarn is automatically wound as twisted. This spool has an endwise movement for laying the yarn spirally as wound. This movement is imparted by a double-spiral device, 6, and the spool is rotated through the medium of a belt, 7, from adriving shaft, 8, below.

Figs. 2 and 3 best illustrate the fiber-supplying and sliver-forming mechanism, in connection with the detached views, Figs. 3 and 3?.

9 is anendless traveling apron on which the fiber, z, is laid and spread somewhat evenly by the hands of the operator. The

apron, as here shown, moves in the direction indicated by the arrow and the fiber extends transversely of the'line of motion.

10 is a roller which, in connection with a guide, or conductor, 11, takes the layer of fiber from thelapr'on 9, and delivers it to a pair of drums, 12, covered with card clothing, 12 or some material of a similar character which will hold the fiber when the latter is pressed into the wire brush-surface by the roller 10.

The apron 9, roller 10, and drums 12, will have the same, or substantially the same surface speed. The drums 12 are of the same diameter and are fixed on the same shaft, 13, in such a manner as to leave between them a space for the sliver-forming mechanism, to be hereinafter described. The fiber taken up from the apron 9 extends across this space between the drums, its extremities being held by the wires or teeth of the brush-surface on the drums.

In Fig. 2 I have only shown the fiber 2 at one point on the surface of the drums. This will suffice to illustrate the operation without obscuring the mechanical features. It will be understood, then, that the fiber-carrying drums 12 rotate intermittently in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, carrying a thin lap or sheet of fiber 2 up and over the tops of the drums and down on the other or front side of the same, where it is taken off, as presented by the drums, by the sliverforming mechanism. This mechanism will now be described.

A block or cylinder, 14, is mounted on the frame 1, in front of the twister 3, and has in it a bore or passage, 15, which is aligned with the axis of the twister and forms a guide for the sliver, 2*. In the block 14 is a longitudinal slot to receive a tension plate 16, the lower edge of which rests on the sliver in the guide. I prefer to form a slot in the lower edge of this plate, as seen in Fig. 32a narrow groove, 16 so that when there is very little fiber in the guide the plate will bite or press into the same. This groove maybe enlarged at the end, as seen at 16, so that when the feeding pusher enters it will not strike the plate. The plate 16 is pressed down by means of a lever, 17, and weight, 17*, to provide a regulatable yielding pressure.

Mounted to reciprocate in bearings, 18*, in front of the block 14, is a sliding bar, 18, to which a reciprocating movement is imparted by any suitable mechanism, and carried by this bar 18, is a needle-like pusher, 19, which is aligned with the axis of the sliver-guide 15. This pusher has a forked point, 19*, (seen in Fig. 3%) adapted to take into the night of an increment of fiber on the drums 12, and carry the same into the axis of the sliver which is being formed at the mouth of the sliver-guide. I prefer to provide the pusher 19, with a grooved guide, 19, and to suspend in front of the sliver-guide a shield, 20, having a fork or notch in its lower, pendent edge through which the pusher pushes the bight of the increment of fiber, but I do not consider these features indispensable in the construction seen in the principal views. The function of the shield 20 is to fold the fiber up against the sides of the pusher as the bight of the fiber is carried through the open notch in the guide. The pusher, in its advance, carries the bight of the increment of fiber into the sliverin the guide far enough for the sliver to hold or retain it when the pusher draws back. The mechanismhere shown for reciprocating the pusher bar comprises a cross-shaft, 21, mounted in hearings on that portion of the main frame which projects into the space between the drums 12. This shaft is driven from an upright shaft, 22, through the medium of gears, 23. On the shaft 21, is an eccentric, 2%, in a yoke on a connecting-rod, 25, which is coupled at its forward end to the pusher-bar. The

shaft 22 may be driven from any convenient.

source, but preferably from the same source as the jenny, so that all the parts of the apparatus may operate in unison.

The drums 12 are driven intermittently from the pusher-bar. On the shaft 13, between the drums is mounted loosely a radial pawlarm, 26, which carries aspring-pawl,27, the nose of which engages a fine-toothed ratchet, 28, on the end of one of the drums. The pawl-arm 26 is vibrated by means of a stud, 29, on the pusher-bar, which stud plays to and fro in a cam-slot, 30, in a branch or part of the pawl-arm. This slot has a slight upward incline at its rear or inner end, and when the pusher-bar shall have moved back far enough for the point of the pusher to clear the fiber on the drums, the stud 29, by entering the inclined portion of the cam-slot, will draw down the pawl-arm and cause the pawl thereon to advance the drums far enough to bring another increment of fiber in front of the pusher. The forward movement of the pusher-bar retracts the pawl. As here shown, the apron 9 is driven from the drums through the medium of a belt, 3l,eonnecting a pulley on the drum-shaft 13, with a pulley on one of the rollers carrying the apron; and the roller 10 is driven from the same roller on the apron through a cross-belt, 32, and suitable pulleys. This driving mechanism may, however, be varied to suit the circumstances and conditions and is within the skill and knowledge of any good mechanic.

The apparatus above described is substantially automatic in its fiber-supplying mechanism, and one operative may attend a number of such machines.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have'illustrated, in plan and elevation another form of apparatus in which the fiber-supplying mechanism differs from that described, and is less automatic in its character. In these views the pusher, its bar and guide, the sliver-guide, and the shield 20, are substantially the same as those already described. In lieu of the drums 12, however, I arrange at each side of the pusher-guide two fiber-holders, 12,in the nature of hackles; that is, each comprises a board or surface in which are set upright teeth, wires or needles. The fiber 2, held at its ends by the teeth, lies in a sort of pocket formed in the pusher-guide and the shield 20, just above the path of the pusher. As the pusher draws back, an incrementof the fiber is pushed down into asmall lower pocket in the path of the pusher by a tucker, 33. This tucker is hinged to a lever, 3t, fulcrumed at St and is coupled at its pendent end to a conuecting-rod, This connecting-rod has an eccentric yoke which embraces an eccentric, 36, on the transverse shaft 21. The extent of movement of the tucker is not great and it may be varied by means of the slotted, adjustable connection of the lever 34 with the rod 35. The tip or nose of the tucker may have a slight groove the better to gather the fibers and press them down.

The device 19, which I have called a pusher is slender, smooth and in form like a needle provided with a forked tip to aggregate and gather a portion of the fiber and is aligned with the sliver-guide, so that in its forward movement it pushes the bight of the increment of fiber into the mass of fiber in the guide. Other forms of pushers might be utilized, but this specific needle-like form is well adapted for lodging the bight of the fiber in or near the axis of the mass in the guide.

Of course it is not at all essential that the pusher shall strike each fiber at the middle of its length nor will it usually do so. Indeed the fibers might be so placed that the pusher would strike them near their ends. The teeth or points on the fiber-holders or carriers, represented in one form by the cylinders 12 and in the other by the stationary hackles 12, are tension devices for the fibers and serve to keep the latter straight and untangled while being drawn into the guide. It the cylinders or drums 12 are made to move very slowly, they might move continuously with good results, but a measured intermittent movement is preferred.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a sliver-forming and spinning mechanism, the mechanism for forming the sliver, comprising a sliver-guide, a tension device for the sliver in the guide, means for drawing the sliver through the guide as formed byincrements of fiber added thereto, a reciprocating pusher-bar, a pusher 19, carried by the bar and having a fork or recess at its front end, said pusher being aligned with the axis of the sliver-guide, and means for feeding the fiber in small portions in front of said pusher, whereby the bight of the portion of the fiber is carried into the core or heart of the sliver in the guide.

2. In a sliver-forming and spinning mechanism, the mechanism for forming the sliver, comprising a sliver-guide, a tension device for the sliver in the guide, means for drawing the sliver through the guide as formed, a reciprocating pusher-bar, a pusher carried by said bar, said pusher being aligned with the axis of the sliver-guide and provided with a fork or recess in its tip, a pusher-guide, a

- forked shield 20 through which the pusher plays, a tension device and holder for retaining the fiber in position transversely of the path of the pusher, and means for feeding the fiber in small quantities into the path of the pusher, substantially as set forth.

3. In a sliver-forming and spinning mechcating pusher aligned with the sliver-guide and adapted to push the bight of an increment of fiber into the mouth of the guide, a tension device for the fiber arranged to hold the latter in position transversely of the path of the pusher, said device comprising a backing beset with numerous teeth, and means for feeding said fiber, thus held in small quantities across the path of the pusher, substantially as set forth.

4. In a sliver-forming and spinning mechanism, the combination with a sliver-guide and a reciprocating pusher for pushing the bight of an increment of fiber into the mouth of the said guide, of the drums 12, studded with teeth to hold and put a tension on the fiber, the axes of the drums being transversely to the path of thepusher, and said drums being arranged at opposite sides of the pusher, and means'for rotating said drums whereby the fiber is brought in front of the pusher, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the spaced drums 1;, provided with closely set-teeth, the traveling apron 9, to receive the fiber, and the roller 10 and conductor 11, arranged to transfer the fiber from the apron to said drums, of the sliver-guide, the pusher 19, the reciprocating pusher-bar 18, carrying the pusher and arranged between the drums, and mechanism substantially as described intermediate said pusher-bar and said drums, whereby the said bar imparts intermittent rotary motion to the drums at each backward movement of the pusher, substantially as set forth.

6. In a sliver-forming mechanism, the combinationwith a sliver-guide, and a reciprocating pusher aligned with said guide, of a tension device or holder for the fiber comprising two sections arranged on opposite sides of the pusher and each consisting of a backing arranged transversely to the path of the pusher, the surfaces of said backing being studded with numerous teeth to receive the fiber, and means for feeding the fiber so held by the tension device, in small quantities into -the path of the pusher, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES NEALE.

Witnesses:

HENRY CONNETT, PETER A. Ross. 

